Met Truly Blessed & Felicity Yesterday

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Felicity

LOL! You are a mess Thad. Don't you know that curiosity killed the proverbial cat?

I met one of the local pastors at the place where I work and we had introduced ourselves and chatted a few times. Then he came in one day and asked me if we ever rented our church facilities. I told him that yes, we do, and that he should contact the church office and my husband for information. He did that and of course we were more than happy to have this conference at our church.

that's interesting. nothing wrong with that at all. I'm glad it all worked as it has. now, what about the other ??? THE BIIIIIIG QUESTIONS!!! ready to tackle that yet ?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Thad

are you and your husband getting back in the UPC???? do you want to ? does HE want to ??

We have no plans to get back in the UPC at this time but we do plan to fellowship more. It's really whatever God wills Thad. In some ways I would love to be part of the UPC again, but I realize that there would be issues to deal with and no - standards is not one of them for me. I'd have no problem at all in lining up with the standards. I might have a problem though in enforcing some of the things that are taught as 'holiness' on others. That would be a biggie for me.

I'm going to paste in here part of what I shared with someone in a PM last evening because it at least partly expresses some of my feeling about this.

"I was sitting in service this morning thinking a bit about everything that's happened over the past few days (in regard to the UPC conference held at our church) and I'm very aware of the "box" so many of them are in and how that we don't have to deal with the issues that so many of them (in the UPC) are having to deal with and struggle with in regard to the exclusivism and standards and lack of liberty in regard to some things.

I'm thankful we don't have to deal with all of that.

At the same time, I miss some of the dynamics of UPC fellowship, worship, preaching, passion and sold-outness that i don't see in the group we belong to."

Besides what I expressed to a forum member above, I also realize that the UPC seems to be in bit of a rut and that there are issues and a lot of discontent within. The truth is ... there is nothing perfect in this life.

I don't know what all God has for us. I know He has a plan and I want to stay in the center of His will. If we're OUT of His will He's able to move us back into it. We're certainly open. If being part of the UPC again is part of His plan, we're open to that.

Time changes a lot of things and changes us too. People make mistakes on both sides of issues and it's easier to see that after some time passes. We've received some positive feedback and attitude about all this from our home district but no plans at present to apply for UPCI license.

I do know that there has been a lot of reconnection with the UPC on different levels in just the last couple months. Old friends (UPC) have been contacting me and then there was this conference and reconnection there as well that was pretty overwhelming I have to say. I just can't express the love and warmth and concern that was displayed to me Friday night and the way some of those women prayed with me. I needed that. God knew that!

I KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was God ordained that we host this conference and that the connections we made there have a divine purpose. I fully believe that. Nothing happens by chance.

We follow Him one step at a time. I don't know the future, but HE certainly does.

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Felicity

We have no plans to get back in the UPC at this time but we do plan to fellowship more. It's really whatever God wills Thad. In some ways I would love to be part of the UPC again, but I realize that there would be issues to deal with and no - standards is not one of them for me. I'd have no problem at all in lining up with the standards. I might have a problem though in enforcing some of the things that are taught as 'holiness' on others. That would be a biggie for me.

I'm going to paste in here part of what I shared with someone in a PM last evening because it at least partly expresses some of my feeling about this.

"I was sitting in service this morning thinking a bit about everything that's happened over the past few days (in regard to the UPC conference held at our church) and I'm very aware of the "box" so many of them are in and how that we don't have to deal with the issues that so many of them (in the UPC) are having to deal with and struggle with in regard to the exclusivism and standards and lack of liberty in regard to some things.

I'm thankful we don't have to deal with all of that.

At the same time, I miss some of the dynamics of UPC fellowship, worship, preaching, passion and sold-outness that i don't see in the group we belong to."

Besides what I expressed to a forum member above, I also realize that the UPC seems to be in bit of a rut and that there are issues and a lot of discontent within. The truth is ... there is nothing perfect in this life.

I don't know what all God has for us. I know He has a plan and I want to stay in the center of His will. If we're OUT of His will He's able to move us back into it. We're certainly open. If being part of the UPC again is part of His plan, we're open to that.

Time changes a lot of things and changes us too. People make mistakes on both sides of issues and it's easier to see that after some time passes. We've received some positive feedback and attitude about all this from our home district but no plans at present to apply for UPCI license.

I do know that there has been a lot of reconnection with the UPC on different levels in just the last couple months. Old friends (UPC) have been contacting me and then there was this conference and reconnection there as well that was pretty overwhelming I have to say. I just can't express the love and warmth and concern that was displayed to me Friday night and the way some of those women prayed with me. I needed that. God knew that!

I KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was God ordained that we host this conference and that the connections we made there have a divine purpose. I fully believe that. Nothing happens by chance.

We follow Him one step at a time. I don't know the future, but HE certainly does.

thanks for sharing all of that- i found it quite interesting.

this should generate some interesting input !

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Thad

what about signing the affirmation?? where does that come into play ?

To me the AS isn't really a problem. Lots of preachers in the UPC who believe really not much different than we do sign the "infernal document" as Ferd calls it. It's basically a non-effective document anyhow, and TB could just do what so many others do. Write disclaimers and a cover letter.

We're very accustomed to walking through doors God opens. If He opens this door, fine.

And remember, I'm speaking for myself here in these posts. Not for TB. I don't want or mean to contradict anything he would have to say about all of this i.e. your questions and all. We're married to each other but we each have our own mind ....... and our own perspective and opinion and views on everything from soup to nuts.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Felicity

The pics are nice of everyone else but horrible of me. I am not photogenic at all. Acckkk! I was more than bit of a mess after all the hands laid on my head and I'd been crying and praying and my eyes were half swollen shut.

That is not true. You look lovely! You have a nice smile and didn't look like you had just been shaken like a rag doll with oil poured over your head by a couple of enthusiastic Pentecostal preachers!

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Felicity

We have no plans to get back in the UPC at this time but we do plan to fellowship more. It's really whatever God wills Thad. In some ways I would love to be part of the UPC again, but I realize that there would be issues to deal with and no - standards is not one of them for me. I'd have no problem at all in lining up with the standards. I might have a problem though in enforcing some of the things that are taught as 'holiness' on others. That would be a biggie for me.

I'm going to paste in here part of what I shared with someone in a PM last evening because it at least partly expresses some of my feeling about this.

"I was sitting in service this morning thinking a bit about everything that's happened over the past few days (in regard to the UPC conference held at our church) and I'm very aware of the "box" so many of them are in and how that we don't have to deal with the issues that so many of them (in the UPC) are having to deal with and struggle with in regard to the exclusivism and standards and lack of liberty in regard to some things.

I'm thankful we don't have to deal with all of that.

At the same time, I miss some of the dynamics of UPC fellowship, worship, preaching, passion and sold-outness that i don't see in the group we belong to."

Besides what I expressed to a forum member above, I also realize that the UPC seems to be in bit of a rut and that there are issues and a lot of discontent within. The truth is ... there is nothing perfect in this life.

I don't know what all God has for us. I know He has a plan and I want to stay in the center of His will. If we're OUT of His will He's able to move us back into it. We're certainly open. If being part of the UPC again is part of His plan, we're open to that.

Time changes a lot of things and changes us too. People make mistakes on both sides of issues and it's easier to see that after some time passes. We've received some positive feedback and attitude about all this from our home district but no plans at present to apply for UPCI license.

I do know that there has been a lot of reconnection with the UPC on different levels in just the last couple months. Old friends (UPC) have been contacting me and then there was this conference and reconnection there as well that was pretty overwhelming I have to say. I just can't express the love and warmth and concern that was displayed to me Friday night and the way some of those women prayed with me. I needed that. God knew that!

I KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was God ordained that we host this conference and that the connections we made there have a divine purpose. I fully believe that. Nothing happens by chance.

We follow Him one step at a time. I don't know the future, but HE certainly does.

To God be the glory for the things He has done and is doing. Great post, Felicity...

[Barb]

Originally Posted by CC1

That is not true. You look lovely! You have a nice smile and didn't look like you had just been shaken like a rag doll with oil poured over your head by a couple of enthusiastic Pentecostal preachers!

LOL!! You are so funny, CC...and I agree, the pics are great.

Btw, CC1...had breakfast with Reg and he saw the pics of you and Pianoman. He wants to know why you two look so much older than he does?!

[Steve Epley]

Just a note. I think we should be careful with so many questions to the intents of anyone. Our lives are in His hands and we look to Him for direction and most of the time God does not give us a detailed out line of our marching orders for our entire life that is why he said "Take not thought for tomorrow."
Hopefully where He leads I will follow. There is such a thing as Divine Providence.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Just a note. I think we should be careful with so many questions to the intents of anyone. Our lives are in His hands and we look to Him for direction and most of the time God does not give us a detailed out line of our marching orders for our entire life that is why he said "Take not thought for tomorrow."
Hopefully where He leads I will follow. There is such a thing as Divine Providence.

Good Post Elder.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Just a note. I think we should be careful with so many questions to the intents of anyone. Our lives are in His hands and we look to Him for direction and most of the time God does not give us a detailed out line of our marching orders for our entire life that is why he said "Take not thought for tomorrow."
Hopefully where He leads I will follow. There is such a thing as Divine Providence.

I agree,this is wisdom to ponder. I was just praying along these lines this morning-and this sentence was very helpful to hear.